CELAC and China in Perspective: Regional Integration and Engagement Redefinition

Abstract

Throughout the history of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), the issue of integration has been an ever-present aspect of the political and economic development of the region. Undoubtedly, extraregional actors have played an important role in shaping the schemes of integration in Latin America, which has served as the scenario for several instances of hegemonic challenges in detriment to the cohesion of the region. The historical trajectory of 1 America demonstrates that it has always been a direct target of the vicissitudes of international politics. In the twenty-first century, Chinese presence in the region has been perceived as a hegemonic challenge; however, the unique features of China’s insertion in the international community determine the unlikeliness of such perceptions. Throughout the last fifteen years, the China-Latin American relationship has been marked by a steady implementation of policies that have created a basic structure for the development of this dynamic. From bilateralism to multilateralism, from complementarity to cooperation, China in Latin America has expounded the strengths and weaknesses of both actors’ asymmetrical relationship.